Zondervan - Niv, Gods Justice: The Holy Bible: The Flourishing of Creation and the Destruction of Evil

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

GODS JUSTICE

The Flourishing of Creation & the Destruction of Evil

Gods Justice: The Holy Bible

Copyright 2016 by Biblica, Inc.

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ePub Edition February 2016: 978-0-310-43720-8

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GODS JUSTICE: THE HOLY BIBLE

The first five books of the Bible begin with God creating a very good universe. Immediately this beautiful beginning is shattered by human rebellion, which leads to astonishing violence and injustice. What can God do to restore his creation? He begins to set things right by calling Abraham, promising him blessing that will ultimately bless the whole world. Abraham and Sarahs offspring grow into the people of Israel. They are rescued from slavery and oppression by God, who, through Moses, leads them to the promised land. On the way God sets down a body of law, a foundation for a new nation meant to embody justice. These laws are such a prominent feature of the first five books that this volume is sometimes called Torah, or Law.

The history books start with Israels entrance into Palestine. There the nation is governed by judges, until God appoints Saul as Israels first king. Kings dominate Israels history thereafter, beginning with the great reigns of David and Solomon. Troubles follow and the kingdom splits in two. Despite occasional revivals, the two nations descend into sin and injustice. As punishment, they are conquered and exiled by the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. Has Gods plan to set the world right failed? Only after generations living in exile do some of Gods people return to Palestine and begin again.

The people of Israel are not just a government and an army, and their lives are more than the history books tell. The story of Gods justice includes psalms of worship, love poetry, collections of wise proverbs, and philosophical reflections. Artistry, beauty and wisdom show the depths of Gods work in his people as he molds them into a community of love and justice.

God speaks to his people through prophets. On Gods behalf they condemn injustice to God and neighbor, often through poetry. Prophets address all nations but particularly tell Israel to live up to Gods call and thus experience his blessinga blessing aimed at the whole world. Prophets also speak of the future, when God will set everything right, punishing evil and causing his creation to flourish. The prophets are the ethical and spiritual conscience of Gods people; their words pulse with justice.

The Gospelsfour portraits of Jesusshow God himself coming to us as a human being, the climax of the story of Gods justice. Both Jesus teaching and his actions demonstrate Gods rule on earth as he calls people everywhere to join him and be transformed. Jesus way of justice is surprising and unexpected. When he triumphantly enters the capital, Jerusalem, he is put on trial and executed. He then comes back to life triumphant over the forces of evil and death. Departing, he turns his work over to his followers. The book of Acts follows the gospels with an account of Jesus life continuing through his people, inspired by the Holy Spirit.